Engine-starting apparatus



Aug. 14,1923. v 1,464,714

A. A. KENT 1 ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS F11ed May 22. 1920 2 sheets-sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

i A TTORNEY,

ugy14, 1923. 1,464,714

. A. A. KENT ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Filed May 22 1920 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.

BY w@ #GAO a ATTORNEY.

kPatented Aug. 14, 192.3.

ARTHUR ATWATEB KENT, OF ARDMORE, IEILNNSYLVANIA.

ENGINE-STARTING APPARATUS?.

Application filed May 22, 1920. serial No. 383,497.

. T all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, Anfuiin .ATWA'rnR Knut, a citizen of the UnitedStates, resid ing in Ardmore, county of Montgomery,and State of Pennsylvania, have invented ce1- tain neivfand useful Improvements in EngineeStartin'g Apparatus, of whichV the` following is specification; A i, y

My invention relates to apparatus for elec` trically starting internal con'ibustionY 'englues.

It is the object of my invention to provide for the elec-tric motor employed for' cranking ort starting an internal,combustion vengine electro-niagnetically` controlled or opcrated switching mechanism directly upon the frame, field vyoke or other stationary part ofthe electric lmotor.

It is a further object of my invention to provide switching mechanism of the char` acter `referred to Whose electro-magnetic` Winding shall be Lenergized from'the same battery or source of current which ener#` gizes the motor. thecircuit of the Winding being controlled by pushbutton orrother switch preferably located adjacent Athe operator of a vehicle driven combustion engine. Y. f

To these ends I have provided structure of the charac-ter hereinafter described and claimed. l Y

For an illustration of some' ofthe various forms myV invention may take, reference is to be had lto the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1` is a sectional view, parts in-elevaf tion, through a part Vof the electric motor andthe electro-magnetic switching mechamsm.

by the internal cuit arrangementfsuitable for employment of my structure.

Fig. 3 isa diagrammatic view of a modi-` fied circuit arrangement.,

an internal combustion eng-ine,v such, forex-4 am le as em lo ed u on a `motor vehicle y for starting or `bringing the engine -to con dition to operate under its oivn power. The armature A rotates Withrespect to suitable number offeldy poles one of which is indi-v cated at P suitably secured, as by screws a, a, to the field yoke Y, Which may be a `cylindrical member of steel 'ox'.iron.-

`lar space being occupied by Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View of a cir A Secured'upon the exterior of the frame member or yoke Y :by a screw bis the strip or'plate of copper or other suitable conducting material c, between which and the member Y intervenes the member dof insulating material, the screw b being suitably insulated from the member c. Suitablysecured to orin electrical contact with' the plate c isfthe binding post B, With which is adapted to connect any suitable conductor to connect the plate c with the motorenergizingbattery." One end of the plate 0 serves as the terminal of the motor controlling switch, the second switch terminal f, of copper or othersuitable material, being suitably spaced from the plate c' and secured Vto the member Y, but insulated therefrom With the sec- Y by the member g. Connecting ond switch terminal fis the conducting stud L extending through, but insulated from the shellor yoke Yinto communication kWith the member or terminal ic', with Which'may connect one terminal of the 4motor winding, for example, one terminal ofthe series field Winding thereof. l l Adapted to bridge and "electrically connect the `switchterminals,c andy f is the movable metallic 4bridging memberl 7', carried' by but insulated from thelvertically` mov,-v able memberu, preferably of/magnetizable material, extending freely through the magnetizable stationary core member m and attached to the movable core `i'i'iernber n; The movable core nhas a bore o, through which the aforesaidk member extends, the 'annua helical spring @tending to raise the member fn, andthe attached switch member y', Surroundingthe core members m and@` is the lcoil or magnetizing `Winding g, inlturn surrounded by the jacket vor housing rief magnetizable maf` terial, and having the inwardly/extending upper fiange s having an aperture through which extends the sleeves or spool t, Within which extend the aforesaid core members m and n.A The stationary core member m' has an outwardly extending Hange `u makingV av the case of the r1 Carried bythe hous- ,i

ht hand flange w, having` l a notch for strad ling the memberscl anda,

` other `terminal connects with one a member olf insulating material preventing contact between the flange and the contact plate c. Carried by the extension y ol the housing` or 'jacket member r is the binding post e, suitably insulated and connectingv with one terminal et the windingv g, the other terminal of which, ae in Fig. 2, may connect with. one of the stationary switch terminals, or, in Fig. may be grounded, as by connecting' with the core member m, housing` r71 or other Suitable grounc'ledelement.

Referring; to Fig. 2, vS ie the source oit current, as a storage battery, one terminal of which is connected to the frame or ground G, or other Suitable return. conductor, lts other terininai counoctff; to one the fitationary switch terminals, c. The other switch terminal, as j", connects with one terminal ot the electric motor hl, ae tor eI-,iample, with one terminal oli its Series lieh winding F, whose other terminal connecte with the arn'iature A whose other termina l connects to ground or return conductor (l. One terminal of the windingv q connected to one terminal oit thebattei'y bl, while its terminal of the push button or switch C, whose othe 7 terminal connects to the ground or return conductor Gn lirom one terminal olE the battery S connection is made through Switch af" with one terminal ol" the primary circuit of the ignition apparatus comprising, for example, the resistance VR and the primary D of an induction coil, Ythe timerior interrupter I, shunted as usual by condenser K, and actuated ly the engine driven cam 7)". The high tension second ary circuit winding E .has itsV one terminal grounded, as by connecting with the yprimary circuit, and its other terminal connecting with the rotatable dietribi'itm' elenient f driyen in uni, son `with the cam t1 and (zo-acting succee- Sively, with. the Stationary distributor contacts all, each which connects with spark plugcl.

The operation is' ae follows:

ilVththe internal combustion engine at rest, it maybe Started, without directly-ae manually or Aby foot-actuatinn` the motor current controlling` switch, lby pressing' thev push button C, whereupon current will flow 'from the battery S tl'irouojh the winding); q and thepush button C, energijizinnj the electromagnet 'oi-',so'lenoid, causingr tl core member fn, `Fie'. 1to be V'attracted down- `warclly opposition to spring' 7J, causing' the movable contact .7' `to engage and bridge the contacts 0 and j, whereupon current will flow l'lrnnxthe battery S througl'i contaets` cfjancl ly invsu'cceesion, through the series v`field Ffof the electric motor, and thence `through i the armature AA, v energi zin gi' the ,-motor, which then cranks' or actuates the internal combustion engine which will,

with the Switch al closed, then start under its own power. Immediately upon release of the push button C the windingl (1 will be deenergized and the spring y) will raise the contact j, thereby breaking the motor, energizing circuit.

As shown in Fig. 3, the circuit arrangeman lay be n 'ilied by connecting; one terniina; oli 'the push bu ton U to the name terminal ol5 the battery [i which erinnerte with the motor control Switch. ln thin rafle, the other terminal ol the windiiw' fj connecte to the ground or ctnrn conductor l' 'lhe operation, however, is the naine an that de :irrii'ed ,in connection with Fig. 2.

By mcane oit the Structure hereinbelore deecriljied, iig, is possible by agile iluxlah button or manually operated Swin. h to ci'iergize an electro-n'ianjnetic switch controlling; the engine etai-ting motor.

It ie further olf advantage lo nu electro-magnetic control. switch 'upon the starting motor unit, as iframe1 field yoke or other suitable di rcetl y upon its f lona ry member, the connections then bet-.reen the Starting' Switch and -motor beine' Short and direct, with the 'further zulrantagfje that the combinedmotor and electro-magnetic control Switch therefor may be conetrncted and marketed as; a unit; and with the turther advantage that when So conetrueted and marlfreted only a relatively Small conductor suitable "lor conveying the current for energizing the winding q need be run `to tl e control Switch or push button, as C, in lieu olf runnino` a conductor ot large current carrying; caiiacity to a Switch eiiiitably'located within the reach ot the toot or hand. of the automobile driver.

l. rlie coinl'yinaliion with an engine Start ingr motorn ol a fitr iV Switch contact secure? directly upon and insulated Yfrom a site tion-ary portion ol: nai/d motor, a vo-act' r movable contact, tau electroqnagnet whoee movable member cari-ice Said movable conact, and a magnet housing' secured to Said stationary portion and enclosing the magnet windingl and Said movable Contact.

2. The con'ibination with an engine start ing motor, op? a fixed switch contact Secured to and insulatedfrom the traine o'lE Said .motor, a .co-actint movable Contact, an `electro-magnet whose movable, member Vrari-icet Said n'iovable cont-acti and a magnet housing carried. upon unid trame `and enclosing' the magnet windingl and Said movable contaeh Said fixed Contact extendingto the exterior of Said houeinfi` and insulated therefrom.

5l. rThe combination with an eugiiie start-- iup; motor, ol a fixed switch coi'r'art secured to and infailated Yfrom the field yoke ol" Said. motor, a enacting movable Contact, an electro-mr-Qnet wh: #ze movable member carriea Said movable Contact, and a magnet housing secured to vsaid field yoke'and enclosing the magnet Winding and said movable contact, said fixed contact extending to the exterioi` of said housing and insulatedtherefrom and rsecured to said field yoke outside of said housing.V g f i l. The combination with an engine starting motor, of fixed contacts secured upon a stationary `portion of said m'otor, electro@ magnetic meanscomprisi'ng a Winding and a movable member,a movable contact movable by said fmovablemember to engage and bridge said iixed contacts, a connection from one of said fixed 'contacts through-said stationary portion to a terminal ot said motor,

anda housingl enclosing .said Winding and` said fixedand movable contacts, said housing secured to said station'ary portion.

T5, The combination; with an engine start! ing motor having a field rivinding,of fixed Contact secured .toa stationary Y portion oi.

said motor, connection A,from said fixedu contact.through'saidstationary portion to a terminal Vof vthe iield -Winding .of said mo# tor, a second fixedlcontact secured to said stationary portion, a movable Contact adapted 4to engage and bridge said .fixed contacts,

electro-magnetic means comprising arivind! ing and `a movable member, said movaloie contact kcarried by i said `movable member, a

the exterior of said housing, and a binding post thereon exterior to said housing.

6. The combinationivith an engine start-V ing motor having a cylindrical field yoke, of

a starting switch comprising fixed contactsy directlyr secured upon and insulated from said field yoke,'a co-operating movable contact, a housing secured to saidiield yoke enclosing said movable contact and one of said fixed contacts, the other of said fixed contacts extending to the exterior of said housing,

connecting means on said portion of said contact exterior to said housing, a connection from said one of said fixed contacts through said field yoke to the inner side thereof,ano

velectro-magnetic means in said housing for actuating said movable contact. ,e

7. The combination With anengine starting motor comprising an armature and field poles and a frame 'member surrounding them, `of a starting switchcomprisingV a fixed contact insulated from said frame member, a conducting member connecting.

electro-magnetic means carriedv by said,

frame member for actuating.k said contact,

and a connection from said conducting mem-y ber to onelterminal of said motor.

8. Thev combination with an engine startf,

ing motor comprisingufield poles, an-armature and a iframe member enclosingthem, of a starting switch comprising a iixed contactsecured directlyl upon and insulated from said iframe member, aV housing secured upon vsaid frame member and comprising a plurality of chambers, a` magnet Windingin one of said chambers, a co-acting movablemagnetizable member, and a movable coi`i.

tact actuatedxby said magnetizable member and disposed with said fixed "contact in an,-l

other' of said chambers. n

9. The combination with an engine starting motor comprising field poles, an arma` vture and a frame member enclosing them,

of a starting switch comprising a fixed con- `vtactsecured directly ,uponV and insulated from said frame member, aj housing secured upon said frame member and comprising a plurality of chambers, a magnet Winding in one ot said chambers, a'co-actingfmovable magnetizable member, a movable Contact actuated by said magneti'zablc e memberV 0and* disposed ivith said ,fixed contact in another of, said'chambers, said fixed contact exteu'df ing to the exterior of said housing, and va circuit connection on said contact exterior to said housing.

10. The combination vvithy an engine start-` ing motorcoinprising iield poles, an armature and an enclosing frameY member therefor, of a starting sivitch comprising fixed soy contacts secured directly upon and insulated i from said frame member, a conducting f member extending :from the interior to thc exterior of said frame member through the same and insulated therefrom, said conducting member connected to one of said fixed contacts, one terminal of said motorconnected tothe inner end ofsaid conducting member,I a movable contact co-acting ivith said fixed contacts, a housing secured directly to said traine member and enclosing said one of said fixed contacts, said movable contact and a portion of another of said fixed contacts, ,and electro-magneticmeans Within said housing for actuating said-'movable contact. Q i r 11. The combination with an engine starting motor comprising field poles, an arma'- turefand an enclosingk frame member having 'a body portionand an end closure, of startingswitch mechanism comprising kan electromagnet, a housing therefor, said housing having Hanges secured to said body portion Vof the frame member independently of said end closure and forming a chamber, fixed contacts within'said chamber and at least one of which is insulated from said frame mem ber, and a cooperating movable contact actmagnet, a housing,r therefor having flange exleneione reaching` and Secured to said ield yoke and 'formingl therewith achainber, a movable contact in Said chamber actuated by said electro-magnet, a co-actin l ixed Contact secured to and insulated from said iield yoke, one of Said flange extensions hav ing?Y an aperture through which said fixed contact extends to the exterior, and circuit. cornice/ting means on said fixed contact cX- terior to said housing.

13. rPhe comlgiination with an engine start^ ing motor comprising` lield poles, an armature and a cylindrical lield yoke, of *starting erritch mechanism comprising a housing;v cured to said field yoke and forming a chamber, co-aciingmovable and fixed con tac-ts Within said chamber, a movable core Structure :arrying the movable Contact and movable in a direction radial to. said field yokeI` anda Winding Within said housing surrounding` said core structure.

14:. The combination with an engine etait ing motor comprising' field poles, an armature and a cylindrical field yoke, of Startingl switch mechanism comprising` a housing' secured to Said ield yoke and forming a chai'nber,.co-acting movableand fixed contacts Within Said chamber, a movable core 30 structure carrying the movable Vcontact and movable in a direction radial to said field yoke, and a member within said housing through which said core structure moves dividing Said winding from said chamber.

l5. The combination with an electric 1notor provided with an enclosing frame vhavinr body and end portions, ot an electromagnet, a housing secured to lthe body por tion o said trame independently oi said end portions and forming a chamber, a fixed contact Within chamber, and a coacting movable contact therein actuated by said electro-magnet.

16. The combination With an electric motor havinga casing provided with body and end portions, of switch mechanism for the motor comprising an electro-magnet, a housin therefor detachably secured to the body portion of said casing independently of Said end portions and forming a chamber, a stationary Contact Within said chamber secured to the motor casing and extending to the exterior of said chamber, and a movable contact also located Within the chamber and actuated by the `said electro-magnet.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto a'ffiXed my signature this, 20th day oli May, 1920.

ARTHUR ATWATER KENT.

oil 

